Daniel Gary Gibson Sr., 87
Daniel Gary Gibson Sr., 87, passed away April 1, 2004 in Richland, Wash.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Thursday, April 8, 2004, at St. John's Cathedral with the Rev. Donald J. Riffle presiding. Burial will follow in Cloverdale Memorial Park.
Dan was born in Thompson Falls, Mont., on June 8, 1916, but he grew up in Sandpoint, Idaho, until graduating from high school in 1934, he then graduated from Gonzaga University in 1939.
Dan married Elizabeth (Betty) Hangauer on Jan. 29, 1942, at Our Lady of Lourdes in Spokane.
During World War II, he was a glider pilot in the European theater attached to the 82nd and 101st Airborne Division and was honored with three medals of flying bravery. After the war, he moved with his wife (Betty) to Boise, where they raised their eight children.
In 1949, Dan purchased Schreiber-McCann Funeral Home, which later became Gibson Funeral Home. In 1960, he purchased Cloverdale Memorial Park and built Cloverdale Funeral Home in 1963. In 1965, he purchased Terrace Lawn Memorial Gardens, and later developed D.G. Sod Farm and Nursery, all companies located in the Boise area.
He was very active in his community of Boise serving as the president of the Boise Rotary Club, chairman of the Boise Heart Drive for five years, fourth degree Knights of Columbus, president of the Crane Creek Country Club, past president of the Boise Executive Association and was one of the association's longest tenured members. He served on the board of directors of the Western Cemetery Alliance for 30 years.
He is survived by his eight children, which include three daughters and sons-in-law, and five sons and daughters-in-law, Ellen and Jerry Kelly of Herndon, Va., Daniel (Hoot) and Carolyn Gibson, Jr. of Caldwell, Tim and Ruth Gibson of Boise, Jane and Mike Mitchell of Richland, Wash., Tom and Tracy Gibson of Sandpoint, Mary and Ellis Johnson of Portland, Ore., John and Andrea Gibson of Post Falls, Mike and Marcey Gibson of Englewood, Colo., and by his 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Dan was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Gibson; his parents, Thomas and May Gibson of Sandpoint; and his brother Glen Gibson of Philadelphia, Pa.
His family loved him for his adventurous spirit and quick wit. He taught us all the art of the entrepreneurial spirit and an unquestionable "can do" state of mind. Above all though, he created a proud family who love to laugh. Memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity.
Services are under the direction of Cloverdale Funeral Home.